Windfarm inquiry gets underway

A public inquiry begins today into a proposed windfarm near Garve – with a late change of venue.

The hearing into the Carn Gorm scheme begins at 1pm at the Ben Wyvis Hotel in Strathpeffer – not at an Inverness Hotel as previously stated by the Scottish Government’s planning appeals department.

A 14-turbine windfarm is proposed by PI Renewables for a site two miles northeast of Garve in Ross-shire.

It was referred to an inquiry after Highland Council objected, citing “detrimental impact on a scenic landscape.”

While the project has considerable local support, there were more than 100 objections including that of government agency Scottish Natural Heritage, wild land charity the John Muir Trust and the Mountaineering Council of Scotland.